Cancer patients in Canada got weak doses of chemo drugs

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Cancer patients given weak doses

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Close to 1,200 patients were affected at five hospitals

The underdosing ranged from 3% to 20%

The drugs were bought by the hospitals from a supplier

Close to 1,200 patients in Canada got lower-than-intended doses of chemotherapy drugs, officials said Tuesday, in a case that is sure to upset those patients and raise concerns about how potentially life-saving drugs are handled.

Another 186 patients were underdosed at Saint John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick, said hospital spokeswoman Janet Hogan.

The drugs in question were bought by the hospitals from a supplier that produces and labels the medications, according to Cancer Care Ontario.

The supplier was identified as Marchese Hospital Solutions, a company spokesman said.

"We are, of course deeply concerned whenever any question is raised about the quality of our work," the company said in a statement. "Our preliminary investigation of this issue leads us to be confident that we have met the quality specifications of the contract we are honored to have been awarded."

The problem, which involved cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine, was discovered late last month.

"It's important to note that chemotherapy preparation and delivery is a complex process and as a result of this complexity, there are sources for potential error," Dr. Carol Sawka, vice president of clinical programs and quality initiatives at Cancer Care Ontario, said in a statement.

"In Ontario, we have put in many steps to minimize these potential sources of error and we will continue to ensure that patient safety and high quality care are the focus and the strength of the system."